Cowboys, Redskins lead the way in uncapped spending

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on September 18, 2010, 3:03 PM EST

It was long believed that, if the salary cap ever disappeared, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Redskins owner Daniel Snyder would embark on an arms race, spending like drunken Steinbrenners in an effort to buy a championship.

The numbers suggest that they did. The reality is that they didn’t.

Per a league source, the Cowboys have committed a whopping $166.5 million to player compensation in 2010. The Redskins have pushed it even higher, spending $178.2 million.

In contrast, and as we pointed out earlier in the day, the Bucs, Chiefs, and Jaguars are each under $90 million. With the Buccaneers at $80 million, both the Cowboys and the Redskins have spent more than two dollars for every dollar spent by the Bucs.

But the Cowboys and the Redskins haven’t racked up that bill by buying new players in 2010. Instead, both teams structured contracts in the past with an eye toward pushing large sums of money into the uncapped year. Recently, for example, the Cowboys gave receiver Miles Austin a contract with a $17 million base salary in 2010.

Both teams run the risk that the new CBA will include some type of reallocation provision aimed at reversing the effects of contracts engineered to take full advantage of the uncapped year. Though Jones and Snyder may regard such an outcome as unfair, two votes wouldn’t be enough to block the move.

As to each team, the maneuverings suggest that they anticipate the return of a salary cap. Which means that they anticipate an eventual labor deal. Which possibly is the best news we’ve heard today.

CornFlorio says: “As to each team, the maneuverings suggest that they anticipate the return of a salary cap. Which means that they anticipate an eventual labor deal. Which possibly is the best news we’ve heard today.”
You are jus figuring this out???

Ravens Macg says:Sep 18, 2010 3:35 PM

They both BOUGHT championships in the 80s and 90s with owners smart enough to let the football people run the team. As for lil danny and jimmy…….

wd40 says:Sep 18, 2010 3:39 PM

It has been this way for many many years and what do Dallas and Washington have to show in the last 15 yrs?
2-3 playoff wins and zero championships.
Both owners have been their own wost enemies.

Bwa Ha Ha says:Sep 18, 2010 3:52 PM

What they will find is that some players will figure they have cashed out and won’t be forced to perform.
Then they will be stuck with them.

hate hate hate
i think jerry made a good move when he signed ware and austin and structured their deals so most of the cash was paid out during the uncapped year. Miles’ base salary in 2012 is 1.5 million. great job jerry!

JayPhilly says:Sep 18, 2010 8:01 PM

Is there a place where we can see how many dollars every team spent this year? I’m guessing my Eagles are near the bottom and Banner and Lurie are partying about it every day.

smootysmoot says:Sep 18, 2010 8:29 PM

Why is this being reported?

meridethtohayes says:Sep 18, 2010 9:26 PM

@Wow, Ravens Macg…I guess you’re saying that All The Other Teams in the NFL Sucked back then, eh?

Schatt Maub says:Sep 18, 2010 11:12 PM

Well, that’s interesting because the Cowboys also lead the way in uncapped sucking.

Terry says:Sep 19, 2010 6:52 AM

The NFL supported “free spending” by a few teams, to avoid ” antitrust land”!

joetoronto says:Sep 19, 2010 7:43 AM

This can’t be right, everyone has been saying it’s Al Davis who’s responsible for rising salaries?